Caring for children in conflict: virtual nursing resources during the 2021 Myanmar coup and ensuing civil war

On 1 February 2021, the military took control of Myanmar (formerly Burma) in a coup d'état, which had a devastating effect on Myanmar's healthcare workers, healthcare system and care of children. Within hours of the coup, healthcare workers reached out for support to the UK clinicians they had worked with for the preceding decade. This article details the virtual support and learning package, developed by the UK health community and the Myanmar diaspora, offered to nurses and other healthcare workers in the two years after the military coup and subsequent civil war. The package, which was developed in consultation with nurses and doctors in Myanmar, had a particular focus on child health and comprised a clinical guidance website, clinical skills videos and a nurse education programme. The authors present the results of an evaluation of usage of the virtual package, discuss the challenges of delivering virtual support in conflict settings and outline key learning points and their transferability to other conflict settings and emergencies.